Saunders new OC

The third time is the charm for Al Saunders, who was hired by the Raiders as offensive coordinator Thursday night. The former Chiefs OC was interviewed by Oakland owner Al Davis twice in years past for the head coaching position.

Saunders worked with new Raiders head coach Hue Jackson in Baltimore (where he was a consultant the last two season). While Jackson will call the plays, Saunders will run the offense in meetings and practices when Jackson has to turn his attention to other parts of the team.

Saunders, 64 in two weeks, went 17-22 as head coach for San Diego from 1986-88. He ran offenses in Kansas City, Washington and St. Louis, spending two years with Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell when he was on the Redskins.